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EXPLORE

Some of our favourite things to do on Jura

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Guided walks

If you would like to explore the beautiful landscape in more depth, we can help you arrange an excursion with Grant at Jura Guided.

With a born and bred islander as your guide there's no better way to explore Jura’s hidden gems and find places you wouldn't be able to on your own. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, Grant will craft a tailor made walk for you, based on the seasons and weather and your interests, bursting with natural wonders and wildlife, dramatic views and island stories to take home.

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Lussa Gin

Distilled by Claire, Georgina and Sofie at the north end of Jura, the women were inspired and enchanted by their island home and have created an award-winning, premium spirit  using home grown and foraged botanicals, that captures its wilderness.

Their distillery is situated at Ardlussa, 25 miles along the single track road from the Jura ferry, half an hour from Bothan Jura Retreat.

Take your time and enjoy the views. If you're looking for a gin with a good story to tell, Lussa is the one. Book a distillery tour here:

Walks

There are several lovely 1-2 hour walks and circuits right from our door.

Some of our favourites are the secret beaches and trig point at Ardfarnal, the Corran River walk with its pools for dipping in, seal spotting along Lowlandman's Bay, or just walking the length of Corran Sands and maybe on into Craighouse for a brew or a dram.

 

We have written out various walks with routes for you in the huts and cottage and also left maps and other walking books or just chat to us and we'll point you in the right direction.

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Visiting Islay

The more well-known neighbouring island of Islay, with its many world famous whisky distilleries, usually steals the local limelight. There's a good chance you'll have stopped, or passed through, Islay to reach Jura, as the only mainland car ferry service operates from there, with the separate "wee ferry" shuttling between the islands. In summer the Jura Passenger Ferry also operates for passengers and bikes from Tayvallich on the mainland direct to Craighouse on Jura.

 

For whisky tasting, Bruichladdich Distillery and Kilchoman Distillery are two of our favourites and both make whisky in a more traditional way, growing their own barley and distilling and maturing on Islay itself. Bruichladdich particularly explores nuance in a way few others do. Ardbeg is also wonderful of course and has an excellent cafe for lunch and lovely walks in the hills behind it to the abandoned village of Solam, known locally as the "plague village".

 

Islay is also world famous for its bird life and is a migratory hotspot. The RSPB sanctuary at Loch Gruinart is well worth a visit and carry on up to the headland for a beautiful walk among the sand dunes. On the other side of the loch is Islay Oyster Shed and farm with some of the very best, freshest and plumpest oysters you'll ever taste.

 

Out on the west coast, Machir Bay, by Kilchomon is a vast stretch of golden sands to stroll along. Or take a round trip down to Portnahaven to see the seals in the harbour, enjoy a pint or some grub in its cosy little pub, travelling back up the dramatic west coast road in to Kilchiaran.

 

The main village is Bowmore which has a Co-op for food, a butcher's, bookshop and cafes and the McTaggart Leisure Centre with 25m swimming pool and gym.

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January 2025 - Where to eat update

The Jura Hotel has unfortunately decided to close for food and accommodation until March 2025.  The pub is still open for music and drinking though!  The Antlers will be open in March also.

 

Until then the community is pulling together, the hall committee are doing lots of events in the hall, Kirsty bakes every week and we stock her amazing pies, we have Wild Food frozen meals, croissants and sausage rolls also.   We can help in whatever way we can to help get you fed during your stay this winter!

Therapy on the go

Philippa has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in massage, yoga and acupuncture.

You can come along to her Monday yoga classes (sometimes on the beach!) or book a massage.

For more information on what Philippa offers please visit her website.


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Deer Island Rum

Deer Island Distillers, Michael and Charlotte, set up the distillery in 2019. You can visit the distillery where they often run cocktail events.

 

The rum sees Scottish distilled white rum, aged in ex-bourbon casks, blended with our unique island water, juice orange peel, raisins and punchy spice mix.
 

Nosing brings the aroma of marmalade, dried fruits and toffee. Tasting brings flavours of pink pepper, nutmeg and dried apricots with a little bit of Christmas pudding. 

 

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Wild Swimming

Jura is surrounded by the crisp blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and peppered with freshwater lochs inland. Sheltered Corran Sands is at the bottom of the garden and Loch An t-Siob (pronounced Loch An-Jeeb) sits in a basin at the base of the three great Paps about an hour's walk from the Bothan site. Closer to home, at Three Arch Bridge, are the old trout ladder pools - which our children affectionately call "The Spa" because of all the bubbles and water spilling from one to the other.

 

We love to get in the sea and there is a Jura Wild Swimming group which meets on Sunday mornings at different beaches (and sometimes lochs) around the island. Usually with hot coffee, biscuits and sometimes cake to warm up after!

A visit to Jura wouldn't be complete without a visit to The Pink Shed!  The Island Bakehouse is a micro-bakery set up by Kirsty in the village of Craighouse. 
 

Kirsty is an exceptional baker and her weekly sourdough subscription on the island keeps her busy. Breads and bakes all lovingly made with enthusiasm and talent.

A highly recommended bonus to any hungry visitor to Jura or Islay.

Island Bakehouse

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Jura Events

Jura has a very active social calendar with regular fixtures every year and plenty of impromptu events. Check the Jura Community Facebook page for latest info.

 

Highlights of the year:

 

January - Burns Supper

February - Bake Off
May - Jura Fell Race

May - Islay & Jura Whisky Festival
July - Ardlussa Sports Day

August - Regatta

September - Jura Music Festival

December - Christmas Fair

Photography

Jura based photographer Konrad Borkowski has a gallery in Craighouse, and offers half day and full day photography experiences for beginners, intermediate and seasoned photographers alike. Travelling to spots you may not think of and learning to see Jura through the eye of a local and photographer, it can be a wonderful way to experience a different part of the island with a fresh set of eyes.

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Wild Jura

Recognising the high demand for local venison on the islands, Cath and Andy have established Wild Jura to include commercial butchery and processing facilities, enabling local communities to enjoy the bounty on their doorstep.  
 

The wild venison comes from Ardlussa, Barnhill, Tarbert and Ruantallain Estates. 

The school children on Jura are now enjoying local venison as part of their school meals and islanders are getting involved with taste testing.  Its a very exciting time!

Where to eat & drink

The Antlers  01496 305317

The Island Bakehouse or Email Kirsty:  islandbakehouse@icloud.com

Jura Hotel  +44 (0)1496 820243

Tea on The Beach  - check Facebook or just turn up, Inverlussa Beach (summer only)

Seafood – in the village next to The Antlers Richard has freshly caught seafood (summer only)

Jean’s Fish Van every Thursday in the village for fresh fish (order on Monday or just turn up)

Deer Island Rum – Craighouse Big Pier  http://www.deerisland.co.uk/

Jura Distillery - 01496 820385  https://www.jurawhisky.com/

Lussa Gin - The Stables, Ardlussa 01496 820196    https://www.lussagin.com/

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Island events

Jura has a very active social calendar with regular fixtures every year and plenty of impromptu events. Check the Jura Community Facebook page for latest info.

Highlights of the year include:

January - Burn's Supper

March - Jura Bake Off
May - Jura Fell Race

May - Islay & Jura Whisky Festival
July - Ardlussa Sports Day

August - Regatta

September - Jura Music Festival

December - Christmas Fair

We'd love to share some of our favourite things to do with you so that you get the most out of your time here, whether that's just kicking back and reading some of our books, playing Bananagrams, strumming a guitar or sketching the skies and birds; wrapping up and going a-roaming in the lost wilds of Jura's countryside and coasts; or tasting the hand-made, luscious Lussa Gin up north.

 

Our retreat is part of the crofting community of Knockrome, four miles north from the island's main village of Craighouse along Small Isles Bay. It is a perfect basecamp to explore the island, get away for an adventure, walk, climb, run, swim, cycle, explore, kayak, bird watch and, of course, relax and unwind.

Boat trips

See Jura from a different angle and explore its dramatic coastline on a sea adventure with Bob Henry at Jura Boat Tours.

Jump on one of the scheduled tours around the island or up to the famous Corryvreckan whirlpool, which is the 3rd largest in the world, and is a sight to behold during large spring tides.

 

There are various other tours including the West Coast of Jura to see the raised beaches.

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